Method of and apparatus for making a can



y 1935' H. SEBELL 2,002,456

- METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A CAN Filed May 3, 1933- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2.

L \,V\| lnvenTor; Harry Sebell b mfld&w

May 21, 1935. H. SEBELL I METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A CAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1933 u V l u w lnv ehToTz Sebell Q bymwl m ATTys.

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Patented May 21, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKmG A CAN Harry Sebell, Boston, Mass., assignor of one-half to Arthur 11. Parker, Lexington, Mass.

Application May 3, 1933, Serial No. 669,127

15 Claims.

This invention relates to cans of the type which have a body portion and a seamless neck or coverreceiving portion secured to the body portion with a double lock seam and adapted to receive a cover or closure of the plug type.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved method of making a can of this type and also an improved apparatus by which such a can can be manufactured.

In order to give an understanding of the invention I have illustrated in the drawings a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Fig. l is a sectional view of the seamless neck or cover-receiving portion of a can embodying myinvention before it is attached to the can Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the body portion of the can illustrating such body portion before it has the neck portion connected thereto;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the assembled neck portion and body portion and illustrating the first step of securing said portions together with the double lock seam;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the double lock seam completed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the completed can showing the cover or closure. inserted in the mouth of the can;

Fig. 6'is a fragmentary section on the line 6--6,

Fig. 3;

The body portion 2 may be made with the usual side seam 3 or it may seam. V

One of the characteristic features of the can embodying my invention is that the neck portion forms an extension of the body portion and adds to the capacity of the can.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the lower end of the wallet the neck portion 4 where it-is joined to the body portion 2 is in alignment with the wall of the body portion 2 and forms a continuation thereof. If, therefore, the can has a cylindrical body 2 then the lower end of the neck portion 4 will have a cylindrical be made without the side shape and will also have the same diameter as that of the body portion 2.

The upper edge of the neck portion 4 may be finished in anyusual' way and as herein illustrated it is rolled or curled outwardly to form 5 the bead l0 and where the upper end of the neck portion is treated in this manner said neck portion will havethe same diameter throughout its vertical dimension as the body portion 2. A can having the neck portion of uniform diametrical l0 dimension will be free from any interior shoulders or ledges which interfere in any way with the pouring out of the contents of the can when it is opened.

In Fig. 5, which shows a fragmentary section 15 of the can,- 6 indicates the cover or, closure of the can, said cover being illustrated as of the socalled plug type, it having the upstanding curb l which fits tightly within the seamless neck 4. The fact that the neck 4 is seamless provides a can 20 construction in which a tight non-leaking joint will be formed between the curb I of the cover and the walls of the neck when the-cover is in place.

So far as I am aware prior to my invention all 25 cans made with a body portion and a seamless neck or cover-receiving portion connected to the body portion with a double lock seam have been made with a neck or cover-receiving portion which extends inwardly from the upper edge of 3 the body portion and which is provided with acover-receiving opening of less diameter than that of the can. In such a can the neck or coverreceiving portion provides an inwardly-projecting shoulder or pocket which prevents the draining of the contents of the can when the latter is' emptied and it also results in a can having a restricted open end as compared with the full diameter of the can.

Cans of this type are used largely for the 40 packaging of paintor similar liquid product.

In using paint from a paint can it is an advantage to have the opening in the end of the'can. as large as possible when the'cover is removed so as not to interfere with the dipping of brushes in the can. It also an advantage to have a can which is free from any interior shoulders or portions which will'prevent completely emptying the can. The can embodying my. invention as described above has these desirable characteristics for when the can is open the open end isoi the full diameter'of the can body and the interior of the can presents no shoulders which will prevent completely draining the contents of as thecan when the can is emptied. I

'manner to form the double lock seam 5.

In making the can herein shown I first provide the can body portion 2, which may or may not have a side seam 3, and which has at its upper end an outwardly-extending seaming flange 8. I also provide the seamless neck or cover-receiving portion 4, the lower end at least of which has the same size as that of the body portion 2 and which is provided at its lower end with an outwardlyextending seaming flange 9 adapted to rest on and mate with the seaming flange 8 of the body portion.

The upper edge of the neck portion 2 may be completed in any desirable way and as herein illustrated it is curled outwardly to form the bead l0.

The body portion 2 and the neck portion t are connected by first assembling them with the flanges 8 and 9 in mating relation and with the wall of the neck portion in alignment with the wall of the body portion as shown in Fig. 3 and said flanges are then rolled together in usual This curlingor rolling of the mating flanges 8 and 9 to form the double lock seam 5 is accomplished through the medium of a chuck ii and a seaming roll or wheel indicated at l2. The seaming chuck H is of a size to. fit the upper end of the wall of the body portion and the lower end of the wall of the neck portion and said chuck is placed within the can body and neck so as to form a backing for the wall and the neck on either side of the seam. If the neck portion 3 is of uniform diameter throughout its vertical dimension and is finished by having its upper edge rolled outwardly to form the exterior bead it) then the seaming chuck it may be inserted into position through the open end of the can, in which case it will extend through the neck portion and partially into the body portion as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

If the neck portion 4 is to be seamed to the body portion 2 before the bottom is attached to the can then it would be possible to insert the seaming chuck upwardly through the bottom of the can into a position where it forms the backing for the upper end of the wall of the body portion and the lower end of the neck portion.

The seaming roll I2 is formed with a curling groove 16 and with a flange portion it above the groove adapted to rest on the seaming flange 9. The seaming operation is performed by rolling the seaming roll I2 around the can to cause the curling groove l6 to act on the edges of the mating flanges 8 and 9 while the walls of the body portion and the neck portion are backed by the seaming chuck II. This operation serves to roll the flanges into the form of the double lock seam 5. This rolling of the seaming roll l 2 around the can may be provided for by rotating the can about its axis or by holding the can stationary and rolling the seaming roll l2 around the can.

As herein shown the can I is supported on a table l3 and if the seaming operation is to be performed by rotating the can then said table will be carried on a rotary shaft 30 andthe seaming chuck l I will be carried by an axially-aligned rotary shaft 3!. The seaming roll I2 is shown as carried by a rotary shaft or spindle M. It will be understood, of course, that if the shafts 30 and 3| are rotatable the power for rotating the shafts may be applied to either or both of them as desired.

During the seaming operation the seaming wheel I2 is forced toward the can so as to bring the bottom of the groove l6 against the flanges 8 and. 9 with considerable pressure and as the can and sealing wheel rotate the pressure which is thus applied to the flanges 3 and 9 will roll them up to form the double lock seam 5, as is well understood by those familiar with can making operations. During this seaming- :operati the seaming chuck H not only forms a backing member for the body portion and the neck por' tion of the can but it also serves to center the neck portion with reference to the body portion and hold them in their co-axial relation while the seam is being formed.

The seaming chuck l l herein illustrated is provided with a flange ll which overlies the upper edge It of the neck member and which applies suiflcient pressure to the neck member to hold q the seaming flanges 8 and 9 firmly in engagement during the seaming operation.

The flange it of the seaming or curling wheel I? holds the flange 9 of the neck portion in its proper position while the two flanges are being rolled together and thereby prevents the flange 9 from buckling upwardly during the seaming operation. At the beginning of the seaming operation the seaming roll is spaced from the can body as shown in Fig. 3 but as the seaming operation proceeds the seaming roll i2 is moved toward the can body until by the time the two mating flanges 8 and 9 have been rolled into the form of the double lock seam 5, the seaming wheel has been brought into a position so that the portion l8 thereof directly below the groove it is in substantial contact with the outside of the can body.

In order that the flange l5 of the seaming wheel may function properly it is necessary that it should overlie the seaming flange 9 of the neck portion Q and to prevent this flange l5 from interfering with the inward movement of the seaming wheel i2 during the seaming operation 1 pro pose to make said flange l5 contractible and expansible. For this purpose said flange I5 is constituted by a plurality of flange sections it, each being sector shaped and each being capable of movement in a radial direction.

' The body of the seaming wheel i2 is made with a radial surface 20 on which the flange sections l9 rest and said sections are retained in position by a retaining ring 2| which overlies the flange sections and is secured to the body of the seaming roll through suitable rivets 22. Each flange section is of a size to permit it to move radially between the surface 20 and the retaining ring 2|.

Eachflange section I9 is backed by a spring 23 which normally holds it in its outward position as shown in Figs. 6 and 8 and each flange section is shown as guided in its radial movement by two of the rivets 22, there being two such rivets for each flange section and each pair of rivets extending through a slot 24 with which the corresponding flange section is provided.

Duringthe initial seaming operation the seaming wheel 12 will have the position relative to the can shown in Fig. 3 and the flange sections l9 will be extended to their full extent which is sufiicient to overlie the seaming flange 9 of the neck portion 4. As the forming of the double lock seam 5 progresses and the seaming wheel moves inwardly toward the can body the flange sections l9 will be brought against the neck portion and as this occurs each flange section will yield inwardly while in engagement with the neck portion. Thus the full pressure of the seaming wheel may be applied to the mating flanges 8 and 9 to roll them together thereby to form the tively, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the body portion of the can, a seaming chuck for insertion into the aligned neck portion and body portion to hold them in alignment and with their seaming. flanges in mating relation, a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on bothflanges simultaneously and roll them into the double lock seam, said seaming roll also having-a contractible flange adapted to engage the upper face of the seaming flange of the neck portion during the seam-forming operation. 2. An apparatus for making cans having a body portion and a neck portion which are connected by a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the body portion and neck respectively, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the body portion of the can, a seaming chuck for insertion into the aligned neck portion and body portion to hold them in alignment and with their seaming flanges in mating relation, a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on said flanges androll them into the double lock seam, said seaming roll also having a contractible flange made of radially movable sections to engage the flange of the neck portion during the seam-forming operation.

'3. An apparatus for making cans which have a body portion and a neck portion connected by .a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the body portion and neck portion respectively, said apparatus comprising a seaming chuck forinsertion into the aligned neck portion and body portion, a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on said flanges and roll them into a double lock seam and also having a'flange'portion to engage the seaming flange of the neckportion,

said flange portion being formed in separate radially movable sections, and a yielding backing for each section resisting inward movement thereof.

4. An apparatus for making cans which have a body portion and a neck portion connected by a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the body portion and neck portion respectively, said apparatus comprising a seaming chuck for insertion into the aligned neck portion and body portion, a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on said flange and roll them into a double lock seam and also having a flange portion to engage the seaming flange of the neck. portion, said flange portion being formed in separate radially movable sectlons, and a spring acting on each section and resisting inward movement thereof.

5. An apparatus for making cans which have a body portion and a neck portion connected by a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the-body portion and neck portion respectively, said apparatus comprising a seaming chuck for insertion into the aligned neck portion and body portion, a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on said flange and roll them into a double lock seam and also having a flange portion to engage the seam ing flange of the neck portion, said flange portion being formed in separate radially movable sections, a spring acting on each section and resisting inward movement thereof, and means to limit outward spring-impelled movement of each section.

6; An apparatus for making cans which have a body portion and a neck portion connected by a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the body portion and neck portion respectively, said apparatus comprising a seaming chuck for insertion into the aligned neck portion and body portion, a. seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on said flange and roll them into a double lock seam and also having a. flange portion to engage the seaming flange of the neck portion, said flange portion being formed in'separate radially movable sections, a spring acting on 'each section and resisting inward movement thereof, means to limit outward spring-impelled movement of each section, and means to guide each section in its radial movement.

'7. An apparatus for. making cans which have a body portion and a neck portion connected by a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the body portion and neck portion respectively, said apparatus comprising a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on both flanges and roll them into a double' lock seam and also having a contractible flange adapted to. engage the upper face of the seaming flange of the neckportion during the seam-forming operation, and means engaging the interior of the body portion and neck portion and forming a backing therefor at the point where the seaming roll is acting thereon.

8. A seaming roll for rolling two mating flanges into a double lock seam, said roll having a peripheral curling groove toact on the edges of both flanges and roll them into a double lock seam and also having a contractible flange portion adapted to engage the face of one of the seaming flanges.

9. A seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove and a peripheral flange adjacent said groove, said flange being formed in separate radially movable sections, and a yielding backing for each section resisting inward movement thereof.

10. The method of making a can which consists in (1) assembling in axial alignment and with their seaming flanges in mating relation a body portion having at its upper end an outwardly-directed seaming flange and a neck portion having the same internal diameter as the upper part of the body portion and isprovided with a seaming flange which mates the seaming flange of the body portion, (2) introducing into the aligned neck and body portions a' seaming the aligned'neck and body portion through the upper end of the neck portion a seaming chuck which fits the interior of the body and neck portions, and (3) rolling the mating flanges into a double lock seam.

12. An apparatus for making a can which has a body portion and a neck portion of the same interior diameter and which are connected by a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the neck portion and body portion respectively, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the body portion of the can, a seam-' ing chuck fitting the interior of the neck portion and body portion and adapted for insertion into the body portion through the neck portion, said chuck holding the neck portion and body portion in alignment and having means for pressing the seaming flanges together, a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on both flanges simultaneously and roll them into a double lock seam, said seaming roll also having a flange extending thereabout and normally projecting beyond the curling groove, said flange of the seaming roll engaging the neck portion and being contractible progressively as the seaming flanges are being rolled into the double lock seam.

13. An apparatus for making cans which have a body portion and a neck portion connected by a double lock seam formed by rolling together seaming flanges on the body portion and neck portion respectively, said apparatus comprising a seaming roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on both flanges simultaneously and roll them into a double lock seam, and also having an outwardly-extending peripheral flange adapted to engage'the upper face of the seaming flange of the neck section during the seam-forming operation, said peripheral flange being progressive-- 1y contractible throughout its extent, and means engaging the interiorof the body portion and neck portion and forming a backing therefor at the point where the seaming roll is acting there- 14. A seaming roll for rolling two mating flanges into a double lock seam, said roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on the edges of both flanges and roll them into a double lock, seam and also having an annular flange portion adapted to engage the face of one of the seaming flanges, said flange portion being sectionally contractible.

15. A seaming roll for rolling two mating flanges into a double lock seam, said roll having a peripheral curling groove to act on the edges of both flanges and roll them into a double lock seam and also having an annular flange portion adapted to engage the face of one of the seaming flanges, said flange portion being progressively contractible throughout its extent.

' HARRY SEBELL. 

